Health Sciences

Nicolet College is only the beginning for lifelong learner Helen Walsh. Helen's continuing education includes transferring to UW-Green Bay to complete her bachelor's degree in nursing, and then her master's degree at UW-Eau Claire. She now works as a Trauma Nurse Practitioner.

"Nicolet gave me a great start. The nursing program is exceptional," she says. "The high quality education and the small class sizes made attending Nicolet a very enjoyable experience. I felt prepared to not only transfer to a four-year university but to really succeed in life."

Eddie excelled in his military career and wanted to continue to help others. Passionate about health care, he became a registered nurse and combined his military interests with his interest in helping others. Through his company he is helping some of the same men and women he served with, providing nursing care for quadriplegic clients.

"There were so many people who wanted to help me achieve ... theory instructors, clinical instructors, and the Financial Aid Office. Thanks to their support, I always felt I could do this," he says, and now he’s helping others achieve more.

Rocky put her nursing degree to work in the emergency room at Southwest Health Center in Platteville. Passionate about helping others, she also serves her community as an Emergency Medical Services provider and a firefighter.

"If you enjoy helping people in your community, have some spare time and want to learn new skills, consider joining your local team of fire and EMS volunteers," she suggests. "Being an emergency responder is very rewarding when people can go home to their family because of something we did to help."

Barbara admits she wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to pursue after high school. "Moraine Park offered immediate training and was less expensive than most colleges," she says. Barbara became a nursing assistant first, went to work, and returned to Moraine Park Technical College to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

Through the years, her love for learning intensified. In 2001, Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and health psychology from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. She also holds a certificate in stress relief practices, and is working toward her master’s degree in nursing education from Marian University. Now she is paying it forward by mentoring and teaching students at Moraine Park to become talented nurses.

Nada Massie saw firsthand the difference health care professionals could make in one’s life. Growing up, she witnessed members of her own family receive care. After sorting through career options, Nada came back to health care. She attended "Experience LTC" during her senior year of high school and her decision was made—Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) was the place for her.

"LTC is affordable, close to home, and the instructors are awesome," says Nada. "The instructors love the profession and that passion for caring for people pushed me to learn more. The practical, hands-on learning experience through LTC was so important—it was exactly what I needed to succeed in this career."

Janice’s education has taken shape through degrees received at several institutions. After receiving an associate degree at Northcentral Technical College (NTC) in nursing, Janice worked in local health care facilities. Then she decided to complete her bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota.

"I discovered that the practical and clinical experience I received at NTC was far superior to that which I experienced at the University of Minnesota, which tended to be more theoretical," Janice says.

She worked in long-term care administration and management at several facilities, eventually taking a position in Arkansas with Beverly Enterprises, the largest nursing home company in the United States.

In 2001, Janice and her husband returned to Wausau and established My InnerView, which provides nursing homes, assisted living homes, hospice organizations, pharmacies and other ancillary post-acute health care organizations with a way to measure and improve quality performance.

As recipient of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s 2007 Alumni of the Year Award, Mary Kruger is an outstanding representative of Northcentral Technical College and all the technical colleges. Through an impressive record of career advancement, community service, personal and educational growth and support of the Wisconsin Technical College System, Mary is a shining star.

A longtime advocate for women, Mary started an "Angel Fund," which provides economic assistance to women receiving cancer treatment. She championed the development of a mobile screening clinic that provides low cost or free mammograms to women in north central Wisconsin’s rural communities, an accomplishment that earned her the 2005 Champion of Women’s Health Award from the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation. In 2006, she received the Athena Award from the Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce for her work in mentoring and opening doors for women in executive positions.

Amber entered the working world after high school, but found it difficult to make ends meet. Her mother encouraged her to enroll at Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) where she chose to pursue a career in nursing.

WCTC awakened part of her personality she had never before tapped. Amber was active in student government, the REACH Multicultural Club and was a student representative on the President’s Cabinet. She eventually won the Health and Service Occupations Outstanding Nursing Student Award and Student Government Member of the Year.

"My life did a 180 degree turn thanks to WCTC. I discovered a passion for serving others and the community and I have carried that passion into my profession," Amber states. "WCTC gave me a strong foundation in education and leadership activities."